Xabi Alonso has an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen that allows him the possibility of leaving this summer, provided a ‘suitable offer’ comes through from another club.
Since he arrived at Leverkusen in 2022, Alonso has remarkably turned the club’s fortunes around, taking them from the brink of relegation to leading the Bundesliga title race, currently eight points ahead of Bayern Munich.
Liverpool can’t wait to score Alonso!
This impressive turnaround has attracted attention from both Bayern Munich and Liverpool, clubs where Alonso has previously shone as a player. With Bayern Munich’s head coach Thomas Tuchel set to depart at the season’s end, and Jurgen Klopp also leaving his role at Liverpool, Alonso is a hot topic of speculation.
Reports are that Alonso has a verbal agreement with Leverkusen, permitting him to explore new opportunities if a ‘suitable’ offer is made, though his contract, extending to 2026, lacks a formal exit clause.
Bayern might face a compensation fee of up to €25 million (£21.4m) for Alonso, who remains committed to Leverkusen’s championship pursuit despite the speculation.
This means that Liverpool will also have to cough up the same amount of money to retain the Spaniard. While Alonso remains tight-lipped about his future, he had this to say about his focus on Leverkusen’s title bid:
Speculation is normal, my focus is here on Bayer Leverkusen. I am very happy at Leverkusen with my players at the moment.
[It was a] big surprise in Liverpool, of course — for what Jurgen did in Liverpool I have great respect and admiration. I am really happy here. I am enjoying my work here. I am feeling each day and each game is a challenge.
Having made a significant impact at Liverpool as a player, Alonso is considered a prime candidate to succeed Klopp, earning accolades as one of Europe’s most promising coaches.
Xabi Alonso is Tottenham’s number one choice for their next manager, according to De Telegraaf 🗞 pic.twitter.com/xl6vf3r9n2
— GOAL (@goal) May 3, 2023
Experts indicate Liverpool has reached out to Alonso’s agent, Iñaki Ibáñez, with Alonso informing Leverkusen of Liverpool’s interest, though Leverkusen is hopeful of retaining him. Of course, when these teams go head to head on Discovery Plus UK, only time will tell who did it better.
Bayern Munich, facing a managerial change with Tuchel’s exit, views Alonso as a key target given his achievements with their rivals. Yet, with Leverkusen poised for Champions League football next season, Alonso faces a pivotal decision amidst his reported long-term aspiration of returning to Liverpool.
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Denise Grant
